PGA Championship chances: Can Lee Westwood win the big one?

We've reached the PGA Championship, the final major of the season. It's the field's last chance for majors glory in 2011. So who's going to take the prize at Atlanta? We'll run down the top players' chances, continuing with a guy looking for his first major championship.

So far this year: Westwood has two worldwide wins this season, but both came against sub-par fields in the Far East. While he hasn't won a tournament of note on the PGA Tour or European Tour this season, he posted a second-place finish at the BMW PGA Championship in Surrey, England, and T-3 at the U.S. Open. Before missing the cut at the British Open, Westwood hadn't finished outside the top 30 in a tournament since his second event of the season.

Record at the PGA Championship: A calf injury sidelined Westwood at last year's PGA Championship, but prior to the DNP, he finished T-3 at Hazeltine in 2009, and has three top-30 finishes in the last five years.

Why he could win: Because Westwood isn't the favorite going into the PGA Championship, and that's probably a good thing. After being the favorite at the Masters and U.S. Open and failing to produce, Westwood missed the cut at the British Open. Needless to say, expectations are at an all-time low going into the final major of year. But maybe that's a good thing. Westwood hasn't done well when the stakes are high, so maybe some low expectations will do him some good. Plus, a 5-under 65 on Sunday at Firestone means he's going into the PGA on a high note.

Why he could fall short: Because Westwood continues to crash and burn in major championships. Like Phil Mickelson prior to his first major win, you have to wonder if he's ever going to win one before he hits 40. A player from England has never won the PGA, so this may not be his best opportunity to win a major.

Our take: Westwood has the game to contend at Atlanta Athletic Club, but as usual, we see him coming up just a bit short with a top-5 finish. The best player to never win a major tag will hang around his neck for at least another year.

Your turn, folks. Does Lee Westwood have what it takes to lift the Wanamaker Trophy?